Jammu, March 2: A day before the highly anticipated budget session of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah convened a crucial meeting of coalition partners in Jammu to ensure the smooth functioning of the legislative proceedings. The session marks the first full-fledged budget discussion in seven years, adding to its political significance.
The high-level meeting, held at the Chief Minister’s official residence, was attended by prominent leaders, including Congress legislative party leader G A Mir and CPI(M) MLA M Y Tarigami. Prior to this joint discussion, Abdullah also chaired a separate meeting with members of the National Conference (NC) legislature party to strategize ahead of the assembly session.
Meanwhile, the Congress legislature party held its own deliberations at the party headquarters on Residency Road before its leader, G A Mir, joined the joint meeting called by Abdullah. Speaking to reporters after the discussions, Mir highlighted the importance of such pre-session meetings, emphasizing that it is a customary practice for both ruling and opposition parties to assess key issues before the assembly convenes.
Acknowledging the mounting criticism directed at the NC-led coalition government, Mir defended its track record, asserting that only four-and-a-half months have passed since the formation of the administration. He pointed out that when the coalition assumed office on October 16, the budget had already been decided, limiting the government’s ability to implement major policy shifts immediately.
Expressing optimism about the upcoming budget, Mir stated that it is expected to address pressing public concerns and lay the groundwork for fulfilling the ruling alliance’s election manifesto during the 2025-26 financial year.
Touching upon one of the most contentious issues—statehood restoration—Mir reiterated that the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly had already passed a resolution in its previous session in Srinagar, calling for the reinstatement of statehood. However, he criticized the BJP-led central government for delaying the process despite multiple assurances made to the people of J&K.
“The prime minister himself, during the All-Party Meeting of J&K leaders in June 2021, stated that the process of reorganization would be followed by delimitation, elections, and then restoration of statehood,” Mir reminded. “Now that a popular government is in place, it is the Centre’s responsibility to fulfill its commitment. The delay is entirely on their side.”
He also underlined that the Congress and its allies in the INDIA bloc remain steadfast in their demand for the immediate restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood. “The Congress, as the largest party in the opposition alliance, has already articulated this demand clearly in its working committee meetings and during the election campaign,” he said.
Responding to queries about the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) planning to introduce bills seeking a ban on alcohol and the regularization of property rights for residents on public land, Mir said such matters are ultimately for the Assembly to decide. However, he questioned PDP’s intent, pointing out that the party failed to take similar legislative steps when it was in power in alliance with the BJP.
“It is worth reflecting on why these proposals were not brought forward when they were part of the government,” he remarked. “As a ruling coalition, we are more focused on addressing the core issues outlined in our election manifesto—the very issues that earned us the people’s mandate.”
As the Assembly session begins, all eyes will be on how the coalition government navigates these complex political and governance challenges while presenting its first budget in years. The session is expected to witness heated debates over statehood, governance, and policy priorities, setting the tone for the months ahead.